26X vs 26M

[andarlite]

Hi All

I currently own a and been thinking of moving up to a 26 X or M.

I went and looked at a 2004 today. Although it's been a while since I last been on a it seems like the cockpit of the is smaller. I suspect they are probably the same but can someone confirm this?

Does anyone know why Roger moved the head to be beside the v-berth on the ? Seems a little strange since now it's a bit cramp in there and it would almost be impossible to mod a shower. Also the seating area across from the head seems to be wasted sine it's a bit isolated.

Apart from that does anyone have any pros or cons over which one I should go for?

(To be honest I'm tending towards the but unfortunately they seem hard to find in my area (Toronto)).

Thanks,
Henry

[Crikey]

Besides having a bluer, and faster hull, I most appreciate the larger rear berth as opposed to the front for the preferred sleeping arrangement. For my length I would have to add to the size of the front berth then get plastered against the side while my admiral, finds her 'space'.
This probably accounts for the slightly smaller cockpit, but it's not a flightdeck either way.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hi Henry,
Everyone will tell you which is best (based on what they own ) but at the end of the day, I reckon that you need to spend 20 minutes crawling over each model to see which you (or more importantly, which model any family that will be boating with you ) are comfortable with. Would also be a great help to experience the slightly different sailing/motoring each offers I should imagine (although I never bothered because the missus said we were getting the M based purely on aesthetics ).

If your getting the M, the blue is only for cold climates and those who enjoy trying to colour match flowcoat/gelcoat after scratching or chipping the gelcoat, or more importantly, blue is the fresh water model and white is the salt (sorry, the last bit is more a poor attempt at humour to do with Etec Outboards )

[Terry]

The X does indeed have a bigger cockpit, I have sat in each side by side to confirm this. The M has a more voluminous interior to compensate. There are two interior versions of the M, the '03 & '04 that you looked at and then all the newer ones '05 and on. They are all a matter of personal preference. I too prefer the aft berth sleeping arrangement, just makes more sense and more comfort.

[Divecoz]

Hahahahahaah Here we go again hahahaa There are no less than a Dozen Threads Concerning this topic and a couple hundred posts hahahha
Things have gotten much more laid back aka civil in the last few years hahaha Lots of similarities and lots of dissimilarities as well..
New ..your Only Choice is an
Used ...its or Heck Don't forget 26S and 26 D though IIRC they are not power sailors ( wink wink nudge nudge )
has two slightly (?) different galley set up's
Yes The has potential for a shower.. dont forget heated water and a drain pump etc etc
Actually I bet there are over 100 Differences if someone took the time to list them?
Hahahahaha Then theres the Trailer themselves hahaha
Welcome aboard I am just having a little fun with you....

[Québec 1]

The best model is the new Black Hulled M. The second best is the new blue hulled M and there is also the new white hulled M.
All the other ones are used, many of them have an enormous amount of extras and are a really good deal specially if you buy them used from the Northern states cause they only sat in the water for 6 months per year and spent the next 6 months covered or in a garage so they are less used than the Florida etc. ones.

The 2003 26M I own is the nicest one I own but I would be willing to sell it for way under 50,000 Canadian dollars.
Q1

[Terry]

Hi All

I currently own a and been thinking of moving up to a 26 X or M.
Does anyone know why Roger moved the head to be beside the v-berth on the ? Seems a little strange since now it's a bit cramp in there and it would almost be impossible to mod a shower. Also the seating area across from the head seems to be wasted sine it's a bit isolated.
Thanks,Henry

That (above) is the least important criteria for selection.

All the other ones are used, many of them have an enormous amount of extras and are a really good deal

This is the most important criteria for selection.

[Mac26Mpaul]

The best model is the new Black Hulled M. The second best is the new blue hulled M and there is also the new white hulled M.
The 2003 26M I own is the nicest one I own but I would be willing to sell it for way under 50,000 Canadian dollars.
Q1

]

Got ya colours around the wrong way in that first sentence I'm afraid ol mate - white then blue then black is how it should be
If you want to sail it over, I reckon you would actually get the 50k Canadian here for her (deffinately would of 2 years back) although you may have to shoot a coat of white on first of course

Must admit, I went the second hand route to get all the extras thrown in, as I knew it would take years of begging to ge the boat dollars out of my missus to buy all those extras....

[dlandersson]

I agree.

All the other ones are used, many of them have an enormous amount of extras and are a really good deal

This is the most important criteria for selection.

[Ixneigh]

My 2 cents
I bought a brand new M last year.
I spend a lot of time onboard. The current layout at first glance might be odd. It was not my first choice. I wanted the x layout but with the m sailing abilities. Now however I am very very happy with the layout. The best seats in the house are those nearest the cabin entry way. They offer the most light and air. I spend much more time sitting there then I do in the bathroom. That said the m head compartment is a bit cramped for use at a dock or anchor.
If I need to bathe inside I pick up the cabin sole and use the whole watertight cabin pan as a tub. This works well for me as the stove is right there to heat the water and I do not need a lot of extra pumps tanks and the like.
Obviously that is impractical for a family. I have used the seating across from the head as a place to implement a shelving and storage mod that works very well for me.
The cockpit is small on the M. Not only that it's really not very inviting to lie around in. I was never a cockpit lounger so that did not matter. It's fine while you are sailing. It's narrow enough to brace your feet comfortable and you will be doing a lot of that on the m, at least since she heels easily at first and performs best when heeled to around 15-20 degrees. I had to own the boat for months before I realized why the builder had done things a certain way. At this point there is really not a lot I would change.
I got my M primarily because I wanted the most sailing ability and the consensus is the M sails slightly better then the X. I bought the white one since that color is scientifically proven to be faster then the others. Or something.
So far as new vs used, a used boat can have many advantages. Many of the extras you will need such as life jackets and electronic items may already be included. Those extras add up fast. Not much goes wrong with these boats and replacement parts are easily bought. These boats age quickly in normal use. The gel coat scratches easily and often develops spiderweb cracking. Mine had minor blemishes from the factory and appears that is not uncommon. Plus you will probably want to customize the boat in some way. Half of my brand new seat cushions are in storage because of my shelving mods. I can't wait to do a custom paint job on part of my boats pristine white hull. I cut up my brand new anchor locker lid to install a winch. You get the idea.
The one warning about used (aside from the obvious hull and deck and engine basic soundness checks)
Avoid boats that have excessive modifications done with sub par Materials or workmanship. if you want to "unmod" it there could be many holes and other issues to fix.

Ixneigh

[Divecoz]

Ixneigh I am with you here..............
""The one warning about used (aside from the obvious hull and deck and engine basic soundness checks)
Avoid boats that have excessive modifications done with sub par Materials or workmanship. if you want to "unmod" it there could be many holes and other issues to fix. Ixneigh""
That said... I would be willing to bet $10,000.00 hahahaa That when the average person looked at my wifes 1970 MGB they would describe it as somewhere between Nice.. to Fabulous! However, if say someone like Kevin , or others who really knew / really know.. what they are looking at , saw it? They are going to at best say? wow?? hummm ?? really?? Other words that might come to mind, but at least on this board would never be expressed.. Hack! Butcher! Slacker! Mr. 10 Thumbs!

[Deeseas]

My 2 cents
Going from a to a or is moving down not up
Doug

[kmclemore]

However, if say someone like Kevin , or others who really knew / really know.. what they are looking at , saw it? They are going to at best say? wow?? hummm ?? really?? Other words that might come to mind, but at least on this board would never be expressed.. Hack! Butcher! Slacker! Mr. 10 Thumbs!

Now, now... I'm nicer than that. I'd just smile and think those things instead.

[andarlite]

My 2 cents
Going from a to a or is moving down not up
Doug

Good one Doug.

Thanks everyone for your insightful comments ..... I probably should have done a search before posting but I ended up finding quite a few lengthy threads on the subject. I think it is best sum up by kmclemore in a 2007 post when he said " The best one is the one your wife likes best."

First things first thought .... I still have to sell the ..... don't want to end up with 2 boats again. I got someone coming over this weekend to look. I'm also lining up a visit to a so we'll see what the admiral has to say after that.


Henry

[mastreb]

The head was moved forward on the M because the Daggerboard trunk is smack dab in the middle of the cabin. It's position is required by the hull design to be there, and it forms the basis of all of the other interior decisions on the M:

1) the passage had to be to one or the other side of it
2) The dinette had to be next to it, blocking one side, with the passage on the other.
3) The Cabin would be cramped by it unless the cabin was extended to aft, thus shortening the cockpit
4) To move the useable cabin area aft, the head had to go forward
5) Since the head is forward, it might as well be directly behind the bulkhead formed by the trunk and the dinette seat (or galley, depending on year)

The bottom line is that the head had to go forward because the entire usable cabin on the M is aft of the daggerboard trunk, and it would be quite small indeed if the head were aft. Few people ever sit on the seats facing the head, they're really just part of the passage to the v-berth and a long berth. On my boat, everything forward of the daggerboard trunk (including the head) is used as storage area for sleeping bags, bedding, food, etc. The head is literally a closet, and if you want to use it, you have to unpack it and then re-pack it.